NSF NCAR Earth System Science Internship (NESSI)
NSF NCAR Earth System Science Internship (NESSI)
To know more about the Internship and the Application requirements, please visit this website: https://edec.ucar.edu/students/nessi
The 2026 NESSI Internship will run for 11 weeks, from May 18 - July 31, 2026
Job Location: Boulder, Colorado - In Person - Interns are required to be on-site for the entire duration of the Internship
To Qualify - Must be a Sophomore or above (Candidates should have completed the equivalent of at least one year of college, no Freshman/first-year)
Application Deadline: January 4, 2026, 11:00 pm MT
Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this position.
Relocation Assistance is NOT available for this position.
Required application materials:
Please review our AI Usage guidelines here before submitting your application material:
1. Resume
2. Unofficial transcript
3. Cover letter (not-to-exceed two pages and must include the following topics):
- Motivation for applying: Describe why you are interested in an internship at NSF NCAR. What aspects of NSF NCAR’s mission, research areas, or mentorship opportunities most appeal to you?
- Research Interests: Briefly summarize your primary research interests or topics you are most curious about within the Earth system sciences.
- Educational & Career Goals: Please describe how an internship would benefit your education and career goals. Discuss what you hope to contribute to the internship cohort and NESSI program.
Key Responsibilities:
- Research: Interns work with NSF NCAR scientists to conduct research in any NSF NCAR lab(s) on a wide range of topics, including atmospheric science, computational science, engineering, and solar & space physics. In addition to research in core geosciences, NSF NCAR has a strong interdisciplinary mission to apply knowledge from other fields to address significant issues in climate, weather, and related disciplines. Thus, there is also a significant opportunity for data science, social science, and science education projects. Research projects should be defined by the student's interest and the ability to pair them with a mentor working in a similar field or topic.
- Reports and Presentations: At the conclusion of the summer program, each intern prepares an oral and poster presentation of their work to be presented either in person or virtually to scientists, staff, and peers.
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Community and Professional Behavior: NESSI interns work together and are part of a larger community of UCAR and NSF NCAR summer interns. NESSI interns will conduct themselves in an appropriate and professional manner, adhering to UCAR’s Code of Conduct. Interns are expected to participate during regular office hours, when NESSI functions fully, and while traveling for the internship.
Education and Experience REQUIRED:
MUST be currently enrolled as an undergraduate student in sophomore year or above (no Freshman) in an accredited US university or college with a major/concentration in any of the following disciplines:
- Earth System Science
- Atmospheric Science
- Computer Science
- Social Science
- Engineering
- Physics
- Mathematics
- Geography
Education & Experience Desired but Not Required:
Have some basic research and programming experience and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 5.0 scale)
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities REQUIRED:
- Ability to work on-site, full-time (40 hours per week) during the entire 11-week summer program
- Basic knowledge, through coursework, of Earth system science concepts
- Good problem-solving skills
- Ability and willingness to learn and use scientific computing tools and programs
- Ability to work with a variety of staff members
- Good oral and written communication skills
- Ability to interact with mentors and peers in a manner that supports collaboration and inquiry
- Working knowledge of essential office and communication software (e.g., G Suite, email clients)
- Ability and willingness to work within the guidelines and policies of the organization and assigned workgroups